Think bellas just had an absence seizure

[girlinleeds]

she took two of her tablets really well, the third one it took three attempts and a bribe with some chicken but she had it

[Desley (booktigger)]

Completely agree with R, sometimes just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should. Lovely idea to let DD give her presents now.

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

I agree, and it's great that you Vet thoroughly "gets" where you're coming from.  Am so glad Bella has had an early birthday, and is enjoying her gifts.  My heart goes out to your DD, but am so pleased she's sharing such love with Bella. 

[Rosella moggy]

I was always happy with a resp rate around 30 with Boris but rarely had it that low. 

Soo very much agree that a vet you trust is worth more than a specialist    It's all about what is best for Bella.  Sometimes it is easy to get carried away with what you can do rather than what you should do   

A vet who cares for Bella and understands your family's relationship with her is worth their weight in gold.

[Judecat (Paula)]

 

[girlinleeds]

Hi everyone quick update on bella, the vet has set up a contract with a new drug company to get Bella the low dose tablets, theyve arrived at the vets tonight and we can collect them tomorrow. There's half a roast chicken in the fridge which hopefully will get Bella to eat the tablet. She's been fine since we halved her atenolol dose, no signs of episodes yet and her sleeping respiratory rate is 28 which I know is the high side of normal, but vet happy if it's under 30.
 When I spoke to the vet on Friday about bellas medication he said if I want he can arrange for the heart specialist to give me a call to discuss everything but I'm happy with what he told me. I am very lucky that we have a vet that we trust completely and I know he will do his very best for Bella and her best interests always come first (as it should be)  but he's also the vet that had to put barney to sleep, so I always dread the worst, but nothing prepared me for last week as she's looking and acting so well.  But we're taking everyday as it comes, I've let dd buy her everything she was going to get Bella for her birthday as I'd rather she got her it now than never get the chance, so Bella is the proud owner of a flamingo toy she loves to kill and a tent type cat bed that she spends lots of time in. Will report back after we try to give her the new tablet tomorrow

[Judecat (Paula)]

So sorry to hear the drug that is helping her arrhythmia has caused issues, do hope the vet can find something for her, and you get plenty of time to take pics etc for memories - maybe something DD can use to make a memory book after? I don’t think you can help getting upset by such sad news, just because they haven’t gone anywhere, you need to adjust and DD is going to be upset regardless, it’s natural. It does sound like you have a very mature, kind daughter x

Very wise words from both Sue and Desley, I think that most of us have lost beloved animals on here, and I think that you are quite right to say that Bella's quality of life is the most important thing, harsh as it may seem it will also teach DD an important lesson on any future animals. I still feel desperately sorry for her, a very hard lesson to learn at such a young age

My thoughts are with you all. .

They use Clopidogrel for stroke victims too, it was what OH was on when he had his a year and a bit ago, it is very efficacious, if you can get it down her.

Take care Honey, for you all.

Paula xxx

[Desley (booktigger)]

So sorry to hear the drug that is helping her arrhythmia has caused issues, do hope the vet can find something for her, and you get plenty of time to take pics etc for memories - maybe something DD can use to make a memory book after? I don’t think you can help getting upset by such sad news, just because they haven’t gone anywhere, you need to adjust and DD is going to be upset regardless, it’s natural. It does sound like you have a very mature, kind daughter x

[Dawn F]

I'm so sorry to hear this, I honestly thought she would be ok, I've said it many times before but the bond your daughter has with bella is wonderful I'm just sorry she is being taken so soon 

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

All of us completely support you.  I think all of us have stood in your shoes at one time or another.  To us it's never "only a cat."   

[girlinleeds]

And thank you all for understanding just what Bella means to us, she is such a part of our family, just been able to talk and people understand and not say its only a cat helps xx

[girlinleeds]

I think it might be clopidogrol as the vet said it was to prevent clot formation. Have had a hard discussion with dd this morning as she said she wants to keep Bella alive as long as possible and I've explained as long as Bella is happy pain free and not suffering we will do, but there may come a time when the kindest way to show her we love her is to let her go, which I think she understands

[Rosella moggy]

Is the bitter tasting pill clopidogrol by any chance?  I remember spending hours each night trying to find anything that might help Boris and came across that but he wouldn't tolerate it due to bitter taste. 

Am so very sorry to hear that your beautiful girl is in heart failure 

Sending every good wish to you all 

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

Its a horrendous situation.  I can't believe how quickly this has developed, and my heart really goes out to you.  Very hard not to openly show your distress, and perfectly understandable that your daughter will be devastated.    But, Bella's gift to you all is the bond and the love that you share, and will continue to share even when she no longer graces your lives on a daily basis.  Hold fast to the fact she's still here now, and enjoy every minute you can with her.   

[girlinleeds]

Thank you everyone,  I've hardly slept I just can't believe it as Bella looks so well. Dd ended up crying herself to sleep,  she was at the vets with us and understood what he was saying better than dh.
 Apparently the atenolol that is preventing her from having more episodes has caused the blood to start pooling in her heart and distended it. We've halved the dose she's having as if we stop it completely she's at high risk of sudden death as it's helping her arrhythmia. The vet is phoning round drug companies today to find the best brand of drug for her, apparently one of the drugs is very bitter and worst when cut (she'd only need a quarter) but another manufacturer makes small dose tablets.
They want to scan again in three months as the changes are so rapid but he advised us not to book it till a couple of weeks before just in case she's not here.  She's our beautiful little angel and I really don't know what we're going to do without her. Dh says there's no point getting upset as she's not gone anywhere yet but I can't help it, he says dd gets more upset when I'm upset which is true but I think it's important she knows that it's upsetting to us all

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

Thinking of you all this morning, and sending much love. 

[Desley (booktigger)]

I'm so sorry to hear this, I do hope the meds buy her some quality time

[Judecat (Paula)]

I am so sorry, read that completely wrong, I do apologise. I do hope that Bella can rally.

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

Oh sweetheart.  I can barely imagine what a blow this is to you all.  I can say nothing which will help, but my heart is truly with you. Xxxxx

[girlinleeds]

unfortunately its not good news Bella is now in heart failure, there's been rapid changes on her scans. Cant even begin to explain how devastated we are dd has sobbed her heart out, she says her heart hurts so much she cant explain. Were going to start her on blood thinners and diuretics cant really write more at the moment 

[Judecat (Paula)]

That is really good news, way to go Bella.

[girlinleeds]

Just spoken to the nurse,  she's recovering well and has had breakfast/lunch. They need to monitor her for a while longer so we need to see the vet at about 6pm and collect her

[Desley (booktigger)]

Fingers crossed

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

Thinking of you both.   

[alisonandarchie]

Hoping everything goes well, thinking of you both

[girlinleeds]

Bella is of back to the vets this morning for her repeat scans, they'll probably have to sedate her which always worries me but hopefully it'll bring good news

[Rosella moggy]

Lovely pics 

[Desley (booktigger)]

Aww, how lovely

[girlinleeds]

Bella is an amazing cat, I've been struggling with lots of different things recently and she knows,  and she's just there for me with a purr and a headbutt. Don't get me wrong I love all three cats but Bella is special

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

They have such a wonderful close relationship, don't they?  And Bella is beautiful.  So pleased she's doing well.   

[girlinleeds]

bellas been booked in at the vets for the 2nd august for her repeat scan, shes still doing well though, managed to get some pics of bella and dd this morning

[Judecat (Paula)]

Glad the vet said it was nothing, am sure they would rather people go with nothing, than leave something and only go when it is too late to treat

I can only echo what Des has said.

[Desley (booktigger)]

Glad the vet said it was nothing, am sure they would rather people go with nothing, than leave something and only go when it is too late to treat

[Lyn (Slugsta)]

Nasty scab on her head but it's clean and no sign of infection, did feel a bit daft (like an over anxious parent) but vet said because of her heart its always worth getting it checked. He listened to her heart and he said it sounds much better than before

 

[girlinleeds]

Nasty scab on her head but it's clean and no sign of infection, did feel a bit daft (like an over anxious parent) but vet said because of her heart its always worth getting it checked. He listened to her heart and he said it sounds much better than before

[Desley (booktigger)]

Glad she is continuing to improve, good luck at the vets

[Sue P (Paddysmum)]

Sending lots of positive thoughts for Bella, and hoping the vet visit goes well.   

[girlinleeds]

Just stroked Bella and found a lump/scab on the back of her head, she was clawing at me when I tried to look so obviously sore, vets at 2pm

[Dawn F]

good to hear she is doing so well, I do love the relationship your daughter has with her, so heart warming

[girlinleeds]

Bella's still continuing to improve, she tries to play with jess and harris (there really shocked when she does and don't seem to know what to do). she's rediscovered her favourite toys and has become very vocal, the only side effect we have seen is hair loss. She leaves clumps of fur where ever she lays and is looking a bit scruffy, but we're not bothered.  We've not seen anymore episodes either which has surprised me as she does get a bit over giddy playing every now and again which i am looking at as a positive sign.
Did have to have the conversation with dd (8years old) about how poorly bella is and she said might she die?? I couldn't lie to her and said there is a possibility but we're doing everything we can to keep her healthy.  They love each other so much i cant even explain, fingers crossed she continues as well as she has